Viral+Video

Page Created By: Shannon Ledig
A viral video is a video that is posted on the internet and spread very quickly with the potential of being seen by a phenomenal number of people in a short period of time. Viral videos are not spread via word of mouth or seen advertised in magazines, TV or the new. Viral videos are often short clips on a video sharing site like YouTube or Vimeo that people reference on the internet through blogs, twitter, email, instant messaging and other social media.
 * Definition:**

Viral video use in the classroom has its pros and cons. On the positive side, teachers can use videos that are trendy and current to supplement their curriculum. On the negative side, teachers need to be very careful about what videos they are showing, where they are accessing them, and how they are being used. Teachers could use viral videos in the classroom as a teaching method and as a means of getting students to make video to demonstrate understanding of material and use of technology. Using videos in classroom instruction stimulates discussion, reinforces lectures and learning, provides a common base of knowledge for students, and is good for teaching effectively. When asking students to make videos, this should be left to older students, not younger due to lack of access to social media and monitoring of access to unacceptable videos. When teachers use viral videos in their classrooms, they need to make sure to connect them to curricular objectives, keep them short and with the ability to pause for interaction, and make sure they supplement the video with assignments and discussion. Mistakes teachers make for using viral videos in their classrooms in not using video often enough, choosing inappropriate material, choosing material that is not interactive, legality of use of certain videos, and not making sure videos connect to curriculum.
 * Impact on Professional Educators:**

Going Viral This website is a review of a recent segment of an internet web show on which the topic of discussion was viral videos. The author gives a succinct definition of a viral video and includes a link to Wikipedia's page for Viral Marketing. The site further gives information on how to go viral with a video with tips for inclusion of items that you should have in your video in order for it to be successful. Through the Higher Ed Live link, you can watch the video, Going Viral with YouTube.
 * Annotated Web-Based Resources**

Definition of a Viral Video This link will take you to a YouTube video made by a company called Pixability that is hired to make videos with the potential of going viral. This 1:47 video gives a quick lesson one what a viral video is and how it becomes viral (as the speaker's CEO puts it "Getting a video to go viral is like winning the lottery.") Following the informative segment on the video, Pixability gives snippets of their favorite viral videos that you can check out.

Using Video Tools in the Classroom This is a link to a wiki page developed by a teacher on the subject of using technology in the classroom. This particular page focuses on the use of video for teaching. It is not necessarily about viral videos, but video use in general that can include viral videos since the same principles of use apply for all video used for instruction. The page focuses on best practices for teachers that plan on using videos to supplement their curriculum. She poses things to consider before, during, and after the showing of videos. The site includes links for additional resources. This page comes from a course the author teaches and links to the full curriculum can be accessed from this page. The page also contains a blog where users can leave feedback, comment, and ask questions.